Busan Autumn Trip: From Haeundae Dalmaji-gil's Fall Foliage to a Walk on Dongbaekseom Island

The appeal of an autumn trip to Busan is that fall foliage and the sea are packed into a single itinerary. In October, Busan’s daytime temperatures are 20–24°C with morning lows around 15°C, making it great for walking, and by November the fall foliage and silver grass reach their peak. This article lays out an itinerary centered on Haeundae’s Dalmaji-gil, taking in Dongbaekseom, Cheongsapo, and the Blue Line Park all in one day.

Haeundae Dalmaji-gil: Muntan Road, Awash in Fall Foliage and Silver Grass

Dalmaji-gil is a coastal cliff walking path stretching from Mipo to Cheongsapo, developed since 2008 as a walking course called “Muntan Road.” You can take in the blue sea and the sunset by day and the Haeundae night view by night, which makes it especially popular among Busan’s autumn foliage spots. In autumn, the fall colors and silver grass blend with the sea, turning spots here and there into photo zones, and there is no separate admission fee.

After your walk, lunch at the Dalmaji-gil daegu-tang (codfish soup) alley is recommended. Haeundae Giwajip Daegu-tang (46, Dalmaji-gil 104beon-gil) serves daegu-tang for 14,000 won, and the clean, rich broth warms a body chilled by the sea breeze. It is famous enough that it is said celebrities frequent it.

A Walk on Dongbaekseom: The Closest Way to Meet the Haeundae Sea

A great starting point for the Dalmaji-gil course is Dongbaekseom Island. It is a small island connected to the far end of Haeundae Beach, and anyone can walk it with no admission fee. The coastal walking path, the Nurimaru observatory, and the dense camellia forest come together to form a quintessential autumn seaside walk. In winter, with fewer tourists, you can actually enjoy the sound of the waves more peacefully.

Cheongsapo Observatory and the Beach Train: Ride the Comfortable Sections

Walking along Dalmaji-gil brings you to Cheongsapo. This is a spot where the emerald sea seen from the observatory on the coastal cliff makes an impression. If walking is too much, try the Haeundae Blue Line Park beach train. It costs 8,000 won per person per ride, and runs right along the coastline from Haeundae to Cheongsapo and Songjeong. Waves and autumn leaves can be seen together outside the window, making it a highlight of an autumn trip.

Sky Capsule Booking Tip: Tuesday 7 A.M. Is the Key

The Blue Line Park Sky Capsule is a two-person capsule train that runs above the coastline, priced at 50,000 won per two-person capsule (25,000 won per person). Tickets open for dates four weeks ahead every Tuesday at 07:00, and weekend daytime slots often sell out early. Riding on a fair day in the window between daytime and sunset is when it looks most beautiful. If you want to capture the scenery as the capsule passes, a window seat at an ocean-view cafe near the Mipo station is also nice.

If you want more observatories, drop by Busan X the Sky on the top floor of Haeundae LCT. The regular price is 29,000 won, hours are 10:00–21:00, and ticketing closes 30 minutes before closing. Looking down from the observatory, the Dalmaji-gil autumn foliage path and the Haeundae beach come into view at a glance.

If the Sky Capsule seats do not work out, the sunset from X the Sky is still there, and you can buy the X the Sky observatory ticket in advance. MyRealTrip lists it at 20,800 won, below the 29,000 won gate price quoted above, so it is a real saving on a stop this route already ends with. The observatory runs 10:00 to 21:00 with ticket issue closing 30 minutes before, so a sunset visit needs an early enough arrival. The listing has only three reviews so far and publishes no inclusions or exclusions, and the booking page is in Korean.

Busan Autumn Itinerary, Transport, and Tips at a Glance

• Recommended course: Dongbaekseom walk → Dalmaji-gil → daegu-tang lunch → Cheongsapo → Sky Capsule → X the Sky sunset and night view
• Autumn event: In mid-November, the Busan Fireworks Festival is held around Gwangalli and Dongbaekseom (in 2025 it was held on November 15).
• Transport: From Seoul, about 2 hours 30 minutes by KTX to Busan Station, then Line 2 to Haeundae. The subway transit-card fare is 1,600 won.
• What to wear: A light outer layer by day, and layered outerwear for mornings and evenings. In November, prepare a thick outer jacket in consideration of the headwind off the coast.
• Extra foliage courses: The Oncheoncheon walking path (Dongnae–Haeundae), a downtown ginkgo-lined street, and the Jangsan silver grass fields are also nearby and good to add to the itinerary.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q. When is Haeundae Dalmaji-gil’s autumn foliage most beautiful? A. Busan’s foliage tends to come later than Seoul’s, usually peaking in mid-to-late November. The silver grass forms a silver wave from late October through November.

Q. How long does a walk along Dalmaji-gil take? A. Based on the Mipo–Cheongsapo section, it takes roughly an hour and a half. Including photo-taking and cafe breaks, we recommend enjoying it as a relaxed half-day course.

Q. Can I ride the Sky Capsule the same day without a reservation? A. It’s possible, but weekend daytime slots often sell out. Tickets open for dates four weeks ahead every Tuesday at 07:00, so if your travel dates are set, booking right at the opening time is safer.

Busan is a place where autumn foliage, the sea, and the sunset all unfold within a single day. If you walk slowly from Haeundae Dalmaji-gil to Dongbaekseom, you’ll understand why a Busan autumn trip is a famous course people return to every year.